Ljubljana, 22 February (STA) - Ombudsman Matjaz Hanzek believes that the national housing construction programme would have to be re-examined, particularly in terms of social housing, where the state should assume a greater role rather than leaving the matter to the market and municipalities.

Hanzek is convinced that the state should be aware that housing is a very important factor in the demographic development of Slovenia and helps solve social problems. He discussed the issue with Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Janez Podobnik today.
The ombudsman and the minister shared a view that housing should be seen in terms of social and demographic aspects, and not only as an economic and spatial category.
Chicanery exerted by flat owners towards elderly tenants was stressed by Hanzek as the most burning problem. Podobnik said he saw a solution to the issue of tenants of non-profit housing in changes to the new housing act.

Podobnik criticised the act, which was passed in 2003, for focusing all too much on economic aspects of housing and neglecting other dimensions.

He said the government has adopted changes to the methodology regulating rents for non-profit housing and subsidy eligibility criteria that enable a gradual transfer to new, uniform non-profit rents.

A new system of subsidising non-profit rents has been introduced as of this year, allowing the poorer tenants to acquire subsidies covering up to 80% of the rent.
Hanzek's meeting with Podobnik is one in a series of his meetings with cabinet ministers.